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DeKALB – DeKalb County-area veterans groups, cities and organizers will host Memorial Day events throughout the county for the public to come together to honor all who’ve died in service to the country.
Memorial Day is May 27.
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DeKALB
Mayoral Memorial Day breakfast and program in DeKalb
Time: 6:45 to 8 a.m.
Where: DeKalb Elks Lodge, 209 S. Annie Glidden Road
What: Hosted by the DeKalb County Forty and Eight Voiture 207, all community members are invited to the 32nd annual Memorial Day breakfast, where DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes, a U.S. Army veteran, is expected to attend. Tickets cost $10 a person if registered with DeKalb Elks Lodge No. 765, or tickets can be bought for $15 at the door.
Soldiers and Sailors Clock Memorial Day ceremony
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Memorial Park, 101 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb
What: The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Clock was built in 1921 to honor American soldiers who died during World War I. At 8:30 a.m. Memorial Day, a brief ceremony will be held at the clock.
DeKalb Memorial Day parade
Time: 9 a.m.
Where: Starts at North Third and Locust streets and ends at the Ellwood House Museum, 420 Linden Place
What: The city of DeKalb will honor military veterans who died while serving the U.S. with a parade through downtown DeKalb.
DeKalb Memorial Day program at Ellwood House
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Where: Ellwood House east lawn, 420 Linden Place
What: A free Memorial Day ceremony and program will be held on the east lawn of the Ellwood House after the conclusion of DeKalb’s Memorial Day parade. The program will feature musical performances, and DeKalb police Sgt. Jason Goodwin will deliver the keynote speech. After the program, attendees are invited to explore the first floor of the Ellwood House mansion at no cost.
Be the One booth
The DeKalb American Legion Post No. 66 also will have a booth set up at Ellwood House to promote its Be the One campaign, a local effort meant to help combat veteran suicide. The booth will offer information and share resources on ways that veterans (active duty or not) and their families can use mental wellness resources and connect to community initiatives to help in their times of need.
Memorial Day AMVETs special event
Time: 2 to 3 p.m.
Where: Corner of Oak and Fourth streets in DeKalb
What: The AMVETs Post 90 special veteran fellowship Memorial Day event will include food, the playing of taps at 3 p.m., and community time for military veterans observing Memorial Day.
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SYCAMORE
Memorial Day parade
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Where: Sycamore Veterans Club, 121 S. California St. to Elmwood Cemetery, 901 S. Cross St.
What: The annual Sycamore Memorial Day parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. from downtown Sycamore. American Legion Riders from Sycamore Post 99 will lead the parade, which also will include the Sycamore Middle School band, Sycamore fire and police, and area veterans.
Memorial Day ceremony
Time: 11 a.m.
Where: Elmwood Cemetery, 901 S. Cross St.
What: A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Elmwood Cemetery after the conclusion of the Sycamore Memorial Day parade. During the ceremony, a local Boy Scouts of America troop will fold an American flag, and a Sycamore High School student, the winner of an Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy award, will give a speech to honor fallen service members.
GENOA
Genoa Memorial Day parade
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Where: Downtown Genoa
What: The annual Genoa Memorial Day parade will have a new route in 2024. The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Genoa Vets Home, 311 S. Washington St., before going north on Washington Street, east on Route 72 and south on Sycamore Street and advancing into Genoa Cemetery.
MALTA
Malta United Methodist Church Memorial Day program
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: 201 E. Sprague St., Malta
What: World War II veteran Dorothy Stoddard will speak at Malta United Methodist Church’s Memorial Day program. The program will start at 10 a.m. and, when it concludes, guests will march from the church to Malta Township Library for a ceremonial laying of a wreath in honor of the members of the U.S. military who died while in service.
DeKALB COUNTY
Memorial Day motorcycle parade escort ride
Time: 8 to 11:45 a.m.
Where: DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa
What: DeKalb County Forty and Eight Voiture 207 will conduct a motorcycle escort for parades in DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa on Memorial Day. The escort will stage at DeKalb Elks Lodge 765, leave for the DeKalb Memorial Clock ceremony at 8:10 a.m. and then begin Memorial Day parade escorts for DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa at 8:30 a.m.
American Legion Honor Guard locations Sunday, May 26
9 a.m. – Fairview Park Cemetery, 1600 S. First St, DeKalb
9:30 a.m. – Malta Cemetery, 3987 Lincoln Highway, Malta
9:50 a.m. – First Congregational Cemetery, 615 N. First St., DeKalb (next to Ellwood House)
10:05 a.m. – St. Mary Cemetery, 531 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
10:15 a.m. – Bridge over Kishwaukee River, near 327 E. Hillcrest, DeKalb (to commemorate Coast Guard veterans and those who died at sea)
10:30 a.m. – DeKalb County Cemetery, next to Michael’s off Sycamore Road, DeKalb
10:45 a.m. – Ohio Grove Cemetery, on Barber Greene Road in Cortland, between Fenstermaker and Airport roads
11:10 a.m. – Mound Rest Cemetery on Route 38, east of Somonauk Road, Cortland
11:40 a.m. – Afton Center Cemetery, 8464-8472 Perry Road, DeKalb
11:55 a.m. – Evergreen Cemetery, Seventh and Roosevelt streets, DeKalb
This story was updated at 1:12 p.m. May 22, 2024, to correct an earlier version that misstated the date that the American Legion will hold its cemetery vigils.